Coroner's role
The main duty of a coroner is to enquire into sudden or unexplained deaths usually by having post-mortem examination, followed by an inquest if the cause of death is not natural.
In addition to this, coroners investigate deaths in certain circumstances, for example, a death in custody, or a death in the workplace.
The coroner's work involves the:
- holding of inquests
- arranging for post-mortems
- employing other services, such as funeral directors, as necessary.
The Coroner investigates unexplained, unexpected and unnatural deaths.
Local Coroners
The Black Country Coroner serves the residents of Sandwell, Dudley, Walsall and Wolverhampton.
The Coroners for the Black Country area are:
- Mr Zafar Siddique, Senior Coroner
- Mrs Joanne M. Lees, Area Coroner
For more information about the Black Country Coroner, please visit sandwell.gov.uk/blackcountrycoroner
Contacting the Coroner's office
Email: secure_coroners@sandwell.gov.uk
Phone: 0121 569 7200
Address (including where inquests also take place):
Black Country Coroner's Court
Jack Judge House
Halesowen Street
Oldbury
West Midlands
B69 2AJ
The opening hours are:
- Monday to Wednesday 8am to 4pm
- Thursday 9am to 4pm
- Friday 8am to 3.30pm
For more information outside normal office hours, please call West Midlands Police on 101 who may be able to assist you.
Hospital and GP referrals within the Black Country
Hospitals and GPs must refer deaths using the coroner's web portal.
Any attachments, such as medical/history reports, need to be scanned and emailed to secure_coroners@sandwell.gov.uk